Load supporting member



May 19, 1959 I J. E. BARON 2,887,203

LOAD SUPPORTING MEMBER Filed NOV. 15, 1956 I E6010 F0 l Ea.

United States Patent LOAD SUPPORTING MEMBER John E. Baron, Fresno,Calif.

Application November 13, 1956, Serial No. 621,805

Claims. (Cl. 193-37) The present invention relates to a load supportingmember and more particularly to a roller having sub stantiallongitudinal rigidity but of adequate and conveniently adjustableresilience to permit flexing of the roller under application of loadwhereby the roller generally conforms to the contour of the load.

It is well-known to provide cradles for supporting boats for enablingtheir launching and transportation on trailers. These cradles have takenseveral forms, for example, bolsters covered with a resilientlycompressible fabric and curved with the intended purpose ofcomplementarily receiving the hull of a boat. Such cradle supports havenot been fully statisfactory since they are not adjustable to fit allshapes of hulls. They have placed undue stress and strain on the hullsby concentrating the support ofiered on undesirably restricted areas.The resultant strain is frequently aggravated since it is commonpractice to leave outboard motors on boats when transporting them ontrailers thereby increasing the effective weight supported. Thiscondition is even more serious when trailers are traveled over roughterrain of the type sometimes encountered around lake and resort areas.

Other types of boat supports have consisted of rollers inclined orinclinable in an effort to position the rollers in the most effectiveengagement with a boat hull being supported. However, because some hullsare flat and others curved, these supports have not properlyaccommodated all boats.

Although the subject invention is conveniently described in connectionwith the supporting of a boat on a boat trailer, it is not so limited.As the description proceeds, it will be understood that the inventionhas much wider application for supporting different kinds and types ofloads where comparable problems are encountered.

With the foregoing problems in mind, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved load supporting member.

Another object is to provide a load supporting roller having suflicienttransverse rigidity but of limited resilience to permit the roller toconform to the shape of the load being supported.

Another object is to prevent undue strain and stress on a supportedload.

Another object is uniformly to distribute the weight of a load over apredetermined supporting surface.

Another object is to provide an elongated resiliently flexible roller inwhich the resilience is adjustable.

Another object is to provide an improved boat support adapted to bemounted on a trailer.

Other objects are to provide a load supporting memher which is simpleand economical to construct and to use, durable in form, dependable inoperation, adapted to support various types of loads, and which ishighly effective for accomplishing its intended purposes.

These together with other objects will become more 2 fully apparent uponreference to the following description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a boat trailer employingload supporting members as provided for in the present invention, andalso shows the hull of a boat in dot-dash lines rested on the loadsupporting members.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section takenthrough one of the load supporting members of Fig. 1.

F Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2 but illustrates a second form of the presentinvention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

A bed 10 of a boat trailer, or other support, is illustrated in Fig. 1of the drawing. A pair of support flanges 11 are secured to, and areupwardly extended from, the bed. Axle pins 14 are mounted in the supportflanges in parallel relation longitudinally of the trailer.

Brackets 20 including angulated central portions 21 are rotatablyjournaled for individual rocking movement on the pins 14 and thus onsubstantially horizontal axes transversely of the central portions.Further, the brackets have upwardly extended leg portions 24 for apurpose subsequently to be described. It is to be noted that thebrackets are positioned in substantially the same vertical planetransversely of the trailer and are limited in their transverse rockingmovement by engagement of the central portions with the bed 10.

Rollers 30 are mounted in the brackets 20. Inasmuch as the rollers areidentical in construction and are identically mounted in the brackets,only one thereof will be considered in detail. Each roller has an innerelongated flexible sleeve 32 having opposite ends and being hollowthroughout. The sleeve is conveniently formed of a metallic, helicallywound steam or exhaust'hose, many forms of which are well-known. It isto be noted that the sleeve is preferably watertight and that the outersurface of the sleeve is preferably given a coat of graphite or thelike, indicated at 34, for a purpose soon to become apparent.

A plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, somewhat resilient rods36 of galvanized spring steel, or the like, are slidably fitted withinthe sleeve and are substantially longitudinally co-extensive with thesleeve. The rods are preferably but not necessarily of uniform size. Asindicated in Fig. 3, the rods substantially fill the sleeve and may beremoved therefrom simply by sliding them outwardly from the sleeve. Asshown, they are transversely frictionally engaged with each other andwith the interior of the sleeve. The rods are notjconnected to eachother nor to the sleeve and thus may be regarded as individuallyslidably positioned inside of the sleeve. Caps 38 provide annularportions 39 frictionally fitted over the inner sleeve 32, radiallyextended flanges 40, and outwardly convex end walls 41. The caps areemployed for holding the rods 36 within the inner sleeve. However, thecaps are easily removed by slidingthem outwardly and ofi of the sleevethereby enabling convenient removal and insertion of the rods. An outerelongated tubular member 45 of resiliently flexible and compressiblematerial, such as rubber, is rotatably fitted on the inner sleeve 32 andprovides opposite ends terminating adjacent to the radial flanges 40 ofthe caps 38. The graphite coating 34 minimizes frictional resistance torotation of the tubular member 45 on the sleeve 32 Substantiallyinverted U-shapecl straps 50are secured to the leg portions 24 of thebrackets 20by fasteners 3 51 extended through the leg portions andstraps. The straps of each bracket are axially aligned and received infrictionally secured relation about the cylindrical portions 39 of thecaps 38. In this manner, the rollers 30 are supported within thebrackets 20 for rocking movement about axes transversely of the axes ofrotation of the rollers and for transverse flexing toward and away fromthe axle pins 14.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subjectinvention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarizedat this point. Assuming that it is desired to support a boat 60 having adownwardly convex hull 61, the rollers 30 are initially adjusted toaccommodate the weight of the boat.

For this purpose, rods 36 of predetermined flexibility are fitted withinthe sleeve 32. It is to be understood that the greater the weight of theboat to be supported, the greater rigidity the rods should have. Whenthe sleeve 32 is filled with rods 36, the caps 38 are placed over theends of the sleeves 32 and are fitted in the straps 50 of theirrespective brackets 2t).

The boat 60 is then rolled onto the rollers 3t). The brackets 20 pivoton their axle pins 1 to conform to the slope of each side portion of thehull 61. In addition, however, the rollers also flex inwardly towardtheir axle pins precisely to conform to the contour of the hull, as bestindicated in Fig. l. The rods 36 are sufliciently longitudinally rigidto prevent the cushioned outer tubular member from collapsing andthereby support the boat with adequate resilience to bend in conformityto the shape of the boat.

Second form tion as with the sleeve 32, and filled with a plurality ofelongated rods 77 of spring-like material.

In this instance, however, the sleeve 76 has diametrically reduced endportions 78, only one of which is shown. A cap 85 providing acylindrical portion 86 tightly circumscribes the end of the inner sleeve76 and is preferably welded thereto. The cap also has an end wall 87preventing the rods 77 from sliding outwardly of the sleeve butincluding an aperture 83 through which such rods may be inserted orremoved when desired. A threaded plug 89 having an outer slot 90 thereinis screW-threadably turned in the end wall 87 for closing the aperture.A trunnion 95 is extended outwardly endwardly from the end wall of thecap and is in substantially coaxial relation with the inner sleeve 76.It is to be noted that the caps may be formed as a part of the innersleeve instead of separately fitted to the sleeve, as described.

The roller also has an elognated, outer tubular member 100 ofresiliently flexible and compressible material as before. The tubularmember 100, however, is frictionally fitted on the inner sleeve 76 insuch a manner that relative rotation between the tubular member andsleeve is resisted. For this purpose the tubular member may bevulcanized to the end caps 85. It will be noted that the tubular memberis substantially longitudinally coextensive with the inner sleeve androds and at its outer ends, circumscribes the annular portion as of thecaps 85. The trunnions 95 are rotatably journaled in bearings 105 forenabling rotation of the roller.

The second form of the invention is particularly adapted for use inconveyers and the like, where the amount of rotation of the roller isgreater than that normally encountered in boat trailer use although, ofcourse, being excellently suited to boat support. For this reason, ithas been found that the outer tubular member has a longer life since itis not subject to wear incident to.

acemes movement against the outer and sometimes rough surface of theflexible sleeve 76.

In both forms of the invention, a load suppoiting roller has beenprovided which is sufficiently transversely rigid to provide adequatesupport of a load but which also has limited flexibility to enableflexing of the roller. The roller conforms to the shape of the loadbeing supported so that the weight is substantially uniformly distributed over the entire length of the roller. This obviates placingexcessive stresses and strains on small areas of the load. In addition,this type of support facilitates movement of a load thereover inasmuchas provision is made for rotation of the load supporting member. Theinvention offers a highly practical solution to the problems involvedsince the resilience of the roller can be quickly changed in accordancewith the weight of the load being supported.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In an elongated, resiliently flexible, load bearing support, anelongated flexible and compressible tubular member having opposite ends,and a plurality of inner elongated individually separable members ofsubstantially rigid, somewhat resiliently flexible material individuallyreleasably fitted within the outer member and extended between theopposite ends thereof for imparting substantially transverse rigidity tothe outer member but permitting limited flexing of the outer member uponapplication of a load in supported relation thereon to conform the outermember to the contour of the load being supported, said elongatedmembers being individually insertable into and releasable from the outermember to enable adjustment of the flexibility of the support.

2. In a resiliently flexible roller for rotatably supporting a loadcomprising an inner elongated flexible sleeve, a plurality of elongatedmembers of resiliently flexible material fitted within the sleeve andimparting substantial transverse rigidity to the sleeve but enablinglimited flexing of the sleeve under application of load, the membersbeing in substantially straight conditions when relaxed but beingbendable under load, and an outer flexible tubular member rotatablyfitted on the sleeve.

3. An elongated resiliently flexible load supporting roller comprisingan inner elongated flexible sleeve having opposite ends, a plurality ofelongated resiliently flexible rods releasably slidably fitted Withinthe sleeve and being substantially longitudinally co-extensive with thesleeve, caps releasably .frictionally fitted on the ends of the sleevefor holding the rods within the sleeve, and an outer tubular member ofresiliently flexible and compressible material rotatably fitted on thesleeve and having opposite ends adjacent to the ends of the sleeve.

4. In combination with a support; a resiliently flexible load bearingroller comprising an elongated outer tube of resiliently flexible andcompressible material having opposite ends, an inner flexible sleeverotatably fitted within the tube having opposite ends endwardly extendedfrom the ends of the tube, a plurality of elongated resiliently flexiblerods releasably slidably inserted within the sleeve and substantiallyfilling the sleeve for imparting rigidity to the sleeve and tube butpermitting flexing incident to application of load transversely to thetube whereby the tube conforms to the shape of such load, and capsreleasably fitted over the ends of the sleeve for holding the rods inthe sleeve; and means secured to the caps mounting the roller in thesupport.

5. In combination with a support; a substantially U-shaped brackethaving a central portion mounted for rocking movement on the supportaround a substantially horizontal axis transversely of the centralportion and a pair of upwardly extended leg portions; a resilientlyflexible load bearing roller including an elongated outer tube ofresiliently flexible and compressible material having opposite ends, aninner flexible sleeve rotatably fitted within the tube having oppositeends endwardly extended from the ends of the tube, a plurality ofresiliently flexible rods releasably slidably inserted within the sleevein substantially filling relation thereto for imparting substantialrigidity to the sleeve and tube while accommodating flexing incident toapplication of loadto the tube whereby the tube conforms to the shape ofthe load, and caps releasably frietionally fitted over ends of thesleeve for holding the rods in the sleeve; and straps secured to thecaps and to the leg portions of the bracket mounting the roller in thebracket transversely of the rocking axes.

6. An elongated resiliently flexible load supporting roller comprisingan inner elongated flexible sleeve hav ing opposite ends, a plurality ofelongated reinforcing rods of substantially rigid, spring-like materialreleasably slidably fitted within and filling the inner sleeve insubstantially longitudinally co-extensive relation therewith, an outerelongated tubular member of resiliently flexible and compressiblematerial frictionally-fitted on the inner sleeve and longitudinallyco-extensive with the sleeve, caps having annular portionscircumscribing the ends of the sleeve within the tubular member and endwalls transversely positioned against the ends of the rods for holdingthe rods within the sleeve, the end walls of the caps having aperturesfor enabling insertion and removal of the rods, plugs releasablyconnected to the end walls of the caps for closing the apertures, andtrunnions endwardly extended from the end walls of the caps axially ofthe outer tubular member.

7. An elongated, resiliently flexible, load bearing support comprisingan elongated outer flexible tubular member having opposite ends and anelongated longitudinal axis; and a plurality of inner elongated,substantially rigid, individually separable members having individuallongitudinal axes, having limited transverse resilient flexibility,individually releasably fitted within the outer member, extended betweensaid opposite ends thereby substantially filling said outer member, andbeing transversely engaged with each other substantially coextensivelywith their lengths for imparting substantial transverse rigidity to theouter member but permitting limited flexing of the outer member uponapplication of a load transversely of the outer member to enable theouter member to conform to the contour of a load sup ported thereon, theaxes of said inner members being substantially parallel to the axis ofthe outer member.

8. In an elongated resiliently flexible load bearing support anelongated flexible tubular member having opposite ends, and a pluralityof inner elongated substantially rigid members having limited transverseresilient flexibility individually slidably fitted within the outermember in transverse engagement with each other substantiallycoextensively with their lengths and extended between the opposite endsof said outer member, the elongated members filling the tubular memberin substantially compact fitted relation and being individually slidablyreleasable from and insertable into the tubular member whereby theelongated members impart substantial transverse rigidity to the outermember but permit limited flexing upon application of a loadtransversely thereof to enable the outer member to conform to thecontour of a load being supported.

9. An elongated resiliently flexible load supporting roller comprisingan elongated helically wound inner flexible sleeve, a plurality ofelongated resiliently flexible rods having opposite ends and beingreleasably slidably fitted within the sleeve and substantially fillingthe sleeve, the sleeve and the rods being substantially co-extensive,caps releasably mounted on the ends of the sleeve for holding the rodswithin the sleeve, and an outer tubular member of resiliently flexibleand compressible material fitted on the sleeve and having opposite endsadjacent to the ends of the sleeve.

10. An elongated resiliently flexible load supporting roller comprisingan inner elongated flexible sleeve having opposite ends, a plurality ofelongated resiliently flexible rods of spring steel releasably slidablyfitted within the sleeve and being substantially longitudinallycoextensive with the sleeve and transversely frictionally engaged witheach other and with the interior of the sleeve, caps releasablyfrictionally fitted on the ends of the sleeve for holding the rodswithin the sleeve, and an outer tubular member of resiliently flexibleand compressible material rotatably fitted on the sleeve and havingopposite ends adjacent to the ends of the sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS1,156,385 Willson Oct. 12, 1915 1,833,179 Robins Nov. 24, 1931 2,781,124Troller Feb. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 534,044 Great Britain Feb. 26,1941

